Handmade Project Bags

<><> As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum <><>
<><> Hey All! <><>

As you should know by now, I’m usually working on more than one project at a time – which I don’t mind at all. But the problem is was that I only had one project bag. This meant that I stored my WIPS (work in progress) literally everywhere, on my bookshelf, on my desk, in reusable shopping bags, or even in my purse (for knitting on the go).

I was tired of living this unstable knitting life and figured it was time for a change. SO, I whipped up 3 drawstring projects bags. They turned out great, Mashaa Allaah!!

 

The bags are made from 100% cotton fabric that I bought. And, Alhamdulillaah, I was able to use scrap fabric for the lining.

 

 

I love the bicycle bag! Its a fun print. The bright chevron makes me feel happy. And the turquoise makes me feel like a serious knitter.

Overall, I honestly feel more motivated to keep knitting now that I have colorful wonderful handmade storage for all of my lovely WIPS.

 

 

 

Where do you store your WIPS?

Have you ever sewn your own project bags?

OTNH: Socks, Cowl, & Layette Set

I usually have at least one yarn adventure going to keep my hands busy. Right now I’m working on three projects. This is what’s currently On the Needlse/Hook (OTNH).

Serendipity Socks

I’ve been working on these socks for AGES. They are my go-to knitting when I’m in between major projects. I’m using a wool/bamboo blend yarn and am knitting these cuff down with an after-thought heel.

 

 

 

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Chevron Cowl

This is for a friend who wants something in purple and gold. Do you seriously know how difficult it was for me to find the right gold worsted weight yarn?

Alhamdulillaah I eventually found a gold that matches with the purple yarn in my stash. I’m almost finished with the first (out of five) pattern repeat. This is a basic intarsia (color-work) knit and I’m actually enjoying it.

 

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Baby Layette Set

I’m crocheting this from a vintage pattern book. Since the pattern is so old and the recommended yarn is no longer made, I had to find updated materials to make this set.

I ended up using a sizes g and h hooks and worsted weight yarn. The only modification that I’ve made to the pattern is lengthening the sleeves to fit the modern day baby’s longer arms.

 

 

What’s currently on your needles and hooks?

How many projects do you work on at once?

Crocheting in Kuwait

I recently came across this article in the Kuwait Times about a group called Khayt. They are Kuwaiti & expat women who are active in the fiber arts.

Every week, khayt meets at the Sadu House which is an organization that aims to preserve Kuwait’s textile tradition and heritage.

The women of Khayt teach workshops, give lectures, and crochet items for local and international charities. And get this! They also have crochet competitions with awards. How cool is that! Mashaa Allaah.

Do you participate in any sister’s crochet groups?

 

My First Post

This is my first post, obviously. So lets get to it!

I have a passion for knitting, crocheting, and spinning. It’s a way to keep myself busy with something positive. So I’m usually engaged in, reading about, thinking about or talking, about fiber arts!

I first learned to crochet when I was in elementary school. Although I was really eager to learn, I really couldn’t get past the chain stitch. Let’s face it, crocheting 5000 chain stitch necklaces does get boring after a while. So I eventually gave up on crochet.

Fast forward a few years later, I saw a how to knit article in a magazine. This was my chance! As long as I could follow the instructions, I thought, I could knit ANY and EVERYTHING that I wanted…yeah. That didn’t exactly work out that way. I tried and tried and but was unsuccessful at doing this thing called uh… casting on?? The directions were just not making sense. After continuous failed attempts, I was on the verge of giving up…AGAIN!

But then help arrived, my mother. Yes. My non-knitting mother amazingly explained casting on in a way that made perfect sense! After a one-on-one cast-on session with mommy, I was able to cast on successfully. There I was, on my way to knitting! BUT, then there was the actual KNIT stitch. Ahh, can we say that doing the knit stitch for the first time is just as tricky as trying to cast on? Well, if no one will say it, I WILL! (haha).

But there again, with mom by my side, I was able to get going. I was knitting with my pink size 9 needles and cream colored yarn — I made a beautiful rectangle. I wonder what happened to it…

I felt accomplished at learning how to do the knit stitch. But, little did I know that purls, ssks, and k2tbls even existed…That came later… Although I enjoyed spending countless hours working on my cream rectangles, I eventually stopped. Perhaps I felt burned out making the same shape in the same color. Perhaps.

Then one day…one day… I found myself on winter vacation. Three whole weeks of no school, no homework, no late night study sessions. What was I to do with ALL of this time. I had a few activities, but not enough to keep me occupied everyday for 3-whole-weeks. As I was thinking of what to do with all of this spare time, a wild idea popped into my head: Hmm, how about I crochet some hats for my uncles and make some wrist warmers for my mom. Seemed like a crazy idea at the time because honestly I still had very minimal crochet skills. Come on, chain stitch necklaces??? I mean I had only dabbled here and there in small crochet projects. By small, I mean small. But my understanding of crochet was barely there, just barely.

But back to my big winter break idea… I found some patterns online and the very next day I trekked over to my local big-box craft store. At this point, I had a crochet how-to book at home that explained how to do every stitch. I got the yarn — way more than what I needed for my projects. But HEY, I’ll give myself a break, I was a new newbie *shrug*.

Alhamdulillaah I am happy to say that ALL yes ALL of the projects came out nicely and each and every recipient loved their gift. Mashaa Allaah. And to be completely honest, I didn’t understand everything I was doing, I JUST followed the directions.

I could go on for ages, but to make a long story short, this “crazy” idea stuck with me and is now an obsession. Alhamdulillaah my knitting and crochet has progressed tremendously since I first started! I went from making chain stitch necklaces and knitting long cream rectangles to creating beautiful doilies and knitting lace patterns.

It has been an up-and-down journey from my elementary crochet experience until now. But with the help of Allaah, mom, a few books, videos, other knitters/crocheters, and lots of patience, I know a lot more now then I did back then. Even so, I’m always excited to learn new techniques and information.

How did you learn how to crochet? What was the first thing that you made?